Dickerson Oxton - May 2021

Dickerson Oxton - May 2021

816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com

MAY 2021

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Congratulations, Graduates! CHELSEA’S GRADUATION MEMORIES AND ADVICE

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

The month of May is the home stretch for those approaching graduation, whether from high school, college, or law school. It brings back memories for me of each of those moments in my life, and it’s fascinating to see how differently I approached each one. I was so excited for my high school graduation. Aside from getting a driver’s license, it’s really the first major milestone for so many people. That was certainly the case for me. It felt like a very big deal, and it really is. For many graduating seniors, this marks a major shift in their lives into adulthood. I still remember what I wore at my graduation and how much I stressed over who was invited to the party and what we served to eat! Of course, looking back I realize that none of that matters. So if I had to give one piece of advice to high school seniors this year, it would be to not get caught up in the details of graduation day or parties. Instead, enjoy the festivities and focus on the work you’ve done up to this point. Celebrate your accomplishments and take time to reflect and feel proud! That’s really what this moment is all about. In some ways, I probably should have taken that advice to heart for my college graduation! I was really anxious to graduate and move on to the next step in my life. In contrast to my high school graduation experience, I barely remember anything about the actual ceremony for college graduation. By the time I got to my third graduation ceremony for law school though, my life had changed dramatically! That entire year was so memorable because Tom and I got married after years of dating throughout law school. In fact, we married just a month and a half before our graduation! In addition to our wedding and graduation, we also both studied for and passed the bar exam, moved to Kansas City, and opened a law firm! It was a very busy time, but I remember it fondly because I got to do all those milestones with my husband. We celebrated all those successes (and tackled all the accompanying challenges!) together.

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

BURN INJURIES

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

One memory really stands out from that time. On our graduation day, Tom’s grandmother came to the ceremony and took pictures of the two of us outside the auditorium. We still have those pictures framed in our house, and I love the memories they evoke not only of that time in our lives but also of Tom’s grandmother who was such a wonderful lady. We were so lucky to get to share that experience with her and our families. Reflecting on all this now makes me wish I’d written a letter to my future self when I was younger, standing at the threshold of these big moments. I know it sounds cheesy, but there’s something about writing things down that makes it so much more real. And having that in hand to read years later after you’ve worked hard to accomplish your goals can be a great way to acknowledge how far you’ve come. It provides such great perspective! So, cheesy or not, consider encouraging the grads in your life to do something like that. More than anything, really celebrate them and their achievements and make sure they take time to do the same for themselves.

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

BOATING ACCIDENTS

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Congratulations graduates!

–Chelsea Dickerson 1

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

As the weather warms up, you may be dreaming of days at the pool or planning a lake trip. Taking a dip to cool off in the water is one of summer’s greatest pleasures, but spending time by the water also means you have to stay vigilant for dangers and make sure to keep yourself and your family safe. It’s devastating but true that drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1–4 years old, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 people die from unintentional drowning each day. Minimize your risk by taking these preventative measures: 1. SUPERVISE Don’t let your children swim anywhere without a lifeguard or supervision. Even if your kids are older and are strong swimmers, it’s never a good idea to let them swim unsupervised. Small pools at apartment Swimming Safely

AUSTRALIAN WOMBATS IN CHARGE

complexes are especially vulnerable to accidents as they do not have lifeguards on duty, and there is no other supervision provided. If you have a pool at home or are swimming at a friend’s house, don’t let your guard down either! Drowning incidents are most likely to be reported from home pools.

Remember the Australian wildfires of 2019–2020? These fires ravaged large areas of the country, displacing and leaving countless animals to fight for survival. To make matters worse, swaths of the country have been dealing with drought. It’s one challenge after another for humans and animals alike. But one species has taken matters into its own “hands.” Numerous wombats have been discovered digging holes in search of water — and they found it! According to Australia’s ABC News, one group of wombats was discovered on a farm in New South Wales, which was situated over a large underground reservoir. So, the wombats went to work. One farmer, Ted Finnie, reported that wombats dug a hole roughly 4 meters deep by 20 meters wide (or about 65 feet). Their incredible work made this source of water remarkably accessible. At this particular watering hole, Finnie captured all sorts of creatures on camera — birds, emus, possums, echidnas, and monitor lizards — congregating around the wombats’ creation. What isn’t known is how, exactly, the wombats discovered the water, but they surmise the animals likely picked up on environmental clues and dug until they found what they were looking for. Interestingly enough, wombats have been known to help other animals in the past. During the Australian fires, countless animals were left searching for refuge, and they found it in wombat burrows. While the wombats weren’t exactly welcoming other species into their homes with open arms, they seemed to “tolerate” the visitors, as one ecologist with the University of Adelaide noted. It was a case of accidental heroism, much like their search for water, but it was heroism nonetheless. Saving Lives One Hole at a Time

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE WHAT MEMORIAL DAY REALLY MEANS

Memorial Day will be observed this year on May 31. The long weekend in late May is widely seen as the unofficial start to summer, but it’s important to remember just what this meaningful American holiday is all about. It’s a time to honor the men and women who have died in the service of our country.

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Is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

2. SECURE

Backyard pools should be surrounded by a sturdy, secure fence that prevents access to children and pets! Additionally, keep the area around the pool clear, put away pool toys when not in use, and make sure all covers are completely removed before swimming and completely secured after. 3. USE COMMON SENSE There’s a reason most public pools have a list of rules, chief among them is no running or horseplay! Make sure you set a good example for any little ones around and enforce these common-sense safety rules to build good habits when near a pool. As for the adults: Do not swim after drinking alcohol, and refrain from diving into water that is less than 6 feet deep.

TAKE A BREAK

If you’re attending a fun pool party that turns serious because of an injury or drowning incident, know that we can help. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of how traumatic this can be for you and your family, and we’ll work tirelessly to help you get the closure you need.

Thai Minced Pork Salad

Though the holiday dates back to the Civil War era — known at the time as Decoration Day — it didn’t become an officially observed federal holiday in the U.S. until 1971. The name “Decoration Day” comes from how the holiday was observed: People visited the graves of fallen soldiers in the springtime, said prayers, and decorated the graves with flowers. Many people continue this tradition today, visiting the graves of fallen family members or military cemeteries. The proliferation of modern-day cemeteries is actually tied to this historical moment. There were more deaths in the Civil War than any other war in U.S. history. Cemeteries were established to house all of these fallen heroes and came to replace traditional practices of burying the dead in churchyards or town commons. In addition to the history we share in this country, many have a personal tie to the holiday through their family history. Memorial Day is a great time to remember the stories of fallen heroes in your family and pass these stories on to younger generations. If you’re able to visit the grave of a family member, consider continuing the long tradition of placing flowers and taking a moment for remembrance and observation during the holiday weekend. Kansas City residents also have a terrific local opportunity to partake in Memorial Day ceremonies organized by the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Last year’s event was live-streamed due to the pandemic, and organizers are still finalizing plans for this year, but the museum is open to visitors. It’s a wonderful place to learn more about WWI and pay your respects to those who’ve served our country. Keep an eye out for updates on this year’s Memorial Day ceremonies at TheWorldWar.org/memorialday.

Inspired by EatingThaiFood.com

Called “Larb” in Thailand, this popular street food comes together quickly and can be easily modified to suit your individual taste.

INGREDIENTS

• 5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice • 1 lb ground pork • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes • 1/8 tsp sugar

• 1/2 tbsp fish sauce • Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste • 4 small shallots, thinly sliced • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • Cilantro leaves, to taste • Mint leaves, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.

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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

Chelsea’s Graduation Memories and Advice

PG1

Australian Wombats Are Saving the Day!

PG2

3 Tips for Safe Pool Play

PG2

Memorial Day: A Time for Remembrance

PG3

Take a Break

PG3

Thai Minced Pork Salad

PG3

Eliminate Your Home’s ‘Energy Vampires’

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DON’T LET HIDDEN ENERGY COSTS DRAIN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT What to Do About Your Home’s ‘Energy Vampires’ We’ve all been there: You’re hit with an unusually high energy bill and you aren’t sure APPLIANCES

What are these energy drains and what can you do about them? ELECTRONICS TVs, PCs, surround sound equipment, and video game consoles typically drain energy. It comes down to the simple fact that practically every electronic device made today stays “on” even when we turn it off. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that these electronics — while off — still contribute to more than 10% of household energy bills. Some electronics offer settings that allow people to truly turn them off, but even that’s not a guarantee. Another option, however, is to use energy-saving power strips or plug- ins. These power strips allow you to control power to select devices — and ensure these devices are only powered when you want them to be.

why. While we expect our energy bills to increase during certain times of the year, we still expect some consistency. When there are unusual bumps, we want to know why. In some cases, these unusual bumps can be traced to hidden energy drains, or “energy vampires.” Most of these energy vampires are far more insidious than a noticeable bump to your energy bill. Why? Because we’re often paying for electricity we didn’t even realize we were using.

Appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers can be used very inefficiently. Refrigerators, for example, work best when they’re full. If you have a fridge with only a few things in it, you’re wasting a lot of energy. When it comes to dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers, make sure you run larger, less frequent loads. Running the appliances for smaller loads is very costly — even with ENERGY STAR-rated appliances. One of the biggest energy drains in the home is the electric water heater. For the most part, that’s to be expected. But what people don’t realize is that sometimes, the water temperature is set too high. In this case, your water heater has to work extra hard to keep the temperature up, resulting in an energy drain. The best way to combat this is to simply lower the temperature on the unit.

ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.

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